Showing posts with label photoshop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photoshop. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Macro Focus Stacking


We were recently tasked with shooting a sunflower seed for an ad agency that specializes in agriculture. Their client needed the image for a billboard and print ad campaign. For comparison, sunflower seeds are about 3/8 inches tall by 1/4 inches wide. Billboards, on average, are 14 feet tall by 48 feet wide. So...in order to get images of the teeny, tiny seed as large as possible, we needed specialized equipment. We rented a Canon MP-E 65mm Macro Lens that is capable of 5x magnification and a focusing rail. 

Because of the extreme magnification, we had very little depth of field – say, about the thickness of a sheet of paper. Therefore, we ended up employing a process called "focus stacking." We shot in increments of 1/4 centimeter to capture 15 images of the seed at various focal depths. While none of these 15 images had the seed entirely in focus, collectively, they contained the data needed to generate one focused image of a sunflower seed. 

We used Photoshop to blend the 15 shots together and generate the final seed image. Photoshop masks out the unfocused areas and keeps the areas of the image that are in focus. The end result is a crystal clear image in focus from top to bottom. Stand alone programs such as HeliconSoft and Zerene Stacker also offer this feature. If you plan to do a good deal of macro focus stacking, I'd suggest investing in a stand alone program.

Photography is about problem solving and visually communicating what your client wants to say. This project employed one of the smallest subjects we've ever photographed, and we had a blast figuring out how to show every detail of a sunflower seed!

Wide view of our teeny, tiny set.
Closer view of the set and seed being photographed.

We shot the seed on its side as it was easier to light it horizontally. It was rotated vertically in post-production.


Focusing rail we rented, which allowed us to seamlessly move the camera 1/4 centimeter at a time. 

David concentrating on focusing and shooting every 1/4 centimeter.

The final image with the "stacked" sunflower seed for the billboard campaign.


David's stylized version, with a more dramatic sky.



Monday, May 12, 2014

Latest Work / Sculpting Light


I’m so excited to show you our latest work!


 Lately we’ve been using our ability to sculpt light in a unique and creative way. Yes, what you’re looking at is all light!  In the next few weeks we’ll be unveiling a series of image ads where we’re using light a little differently.  We’re thrilled about this unique visual approach to get your client's products to stand out.


Credits:

Model: Alex Griffey

Photo Assistant: Tiffany Matson

Lighting assistant:  Braden Edwards

Product:  HJC helmets

Motorcycle:  Shawnee Cycle Plaza

Photography: David D. Morris

Retouching: David D. Morris




 Credits:

Model: Katherine Garcia

Photo Assistant: Tiffany Matson

Lighting assistant:  Braden Edwards

Product:  Blue Angle Martini

Photography: David D. Morris

Retouching: David D. Morris





 Credits:

Model: Abuk

Modeling Agency: I and I Agency

Photo Assistant: Tiffany Matson

Lighting assistant:  Braden Edwards

Product:  Chanel Purse

Photography: David D. Morris

Retouching: David D. Morris




Light and sparkly
 Credits:

Model: Cara Dunsmoor

Photo Assistant: Tiffany Matson

Lighting assistant:  Braden Edwards

Product: Citrine Bracelet

Photography: David D. Morris

Retouching: David D. Morris



Light and magical

Credits:

Model: Shelby Mathews

Photo Assistant: Tiffany Matson

Lighting assistant:  Braden Edwards

Product: Kubler Absinthe

Photography: David D. Morris

Retouching: David D. Morris

Hair and Make-up: Sarah Uhler

Friday, February 17, 2012

Simplicity Sells

It might not be the latest fad in photography.  It doesn't use all the latest filters and techniques, but Simplicity Sells!  Beautifully lit, well designed, clean photographs are some of the sexiest and most beautiful imagery out there.
In advertising photography, the point is to grab and hold the attention of the viewer and to clearly communicate to them your message.

Let me give you three examples:

Apple

Target

and now J.C. Pennies

Some of these, for years, have sold their products with simple, clean, beautifully lit, well designed images.






I'm not saying you can't sell with other styles of photography, but it's hard to argue with clean, clear
communications.



A nice clean Margarita on ice.



A little behind the scene shot of some of the supplies it took to shoot a few simple drinks.

Which reminds me, just because it's a simple, clean shot doesn't mean it's any less complex than a shot with all kinds of props and atmosphere.   In fact I would suggest just the opposite.  When the image is the only item in the advertisement, it draws all the attention and it better be perfect.







Photoshop allow you to do make all the behind the scenes props disappear.